165 Gr. RNFP Bullet in a 1858 ??

[FireFight]

I have a Pietta 1858 which Normally takes a .454 BALL - I have a large number of .45 165gr. RNFP bullets I shoot in my .45 for Action Shooting - the diameter is .452

Q: Anyone shot a heaver bullet out of the 1858, i.e. 160gr instead of the .454 Ball (@ 141gr) and if so what level of powder charge...

Q: Pietta says to stay UNDER 30 gr of 3F - what are the safe limits with .454 BALL

FINALLY

Q: in casting Ball Ammo - Pure Lead v. Wheel weight type lead ???

Thanks

FireFight

 

[Smokin6Gun]

Yup I have shot 190gr flat tip hollow base boolits with 28gr of fffg BP out of my Uberti 1858 and my Colt Dragoon, my cast .457" R.B. were much more accurate. You would have to swedge the first ring on the Boolits to make a heeled boolit. For the Uberti it's a .450" chamber, now with Piettas they are a little tighter about .448" I think....shot 255gr cartridge boolits & 35gr of fffg BP with an R&D conversion in my Dragoon. They were very accurate.

 

[renovato]

The twist rate is setup to best stabilize balls. The really short pistol conicals work ok. Your bullets might work, if they're soft lead. If you cast your own, stick to pure lead only. Wheel weight and such alloys are too hard.

 

[Lone Carabiner]

My '58 shot RB well, but I got a mould from Lee to make my own and use pure lead, they have a reduced heel and shoot as good if not better than RB, I use 28 gr. 3f

 

[DNICK]

what is the weight and bullet style of that Lee mould?

 

[Lone Carabiner]

Conical, with grease grooves and reduced heel for easy loading. About 200 gr., maybe little less. I shot one thru a jack pine that a .357 did not go thru. With a max charge from my '58 'Buffalo.
Also shot a wild hog thru the head with, complete pass thru the skull.